Big Six Tour Safaris
of experience across South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls.

Sharing nearly four decades of experience across South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls.

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Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg with open vehicle game drive

Pilanesberg National Park • Malaria-free Big Five

Pilanesberg Safaris from Johannesburg & Pretoria

Full day, morning and sunset Pilanesberg safaris in a malaria-free Big Five reserve, just a few hours from Johannesburg. Small groups, experienced guides and flexible options – perfect if you have limited time but still want a real African Pilanesberg safari.

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Pilanesberg day tours & Big Five safaris from Johannesburg

My Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg is ideal if you want a proper Big Five experience in a malaria-free reserve without long travel days. I collect you from your hotel in Johannesburg or Pretoria, drive to Pilanesberg National Park, and you enjoy an open vehicle Pilanesberg day tour with a qualified ranger – all in one day.

Malaria-free Big Five Pilanesberg National Park
Hotel pickup in Johannesburg & Pretoria
Small groups, owner-guided transfers

Full Day Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg

This popular Pilanesberg day tour includes early hotel pickup in Johannesburg or Pretoria, a scenic drive to the park and a 3–6 hour open vehicle game drive with a qualified ranger. It’s the best option if you only have one day for a Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg.

  • Return transfers from Johannesburg / Pretoria
  • Open safari vehicle game drive in Pilanesberg
  • Park conservation / entrance fees included
  • Comfort stops & time for light meals (own account)
Typical rate: see Pilanesberg safari price table below for 2–3 and 4–7 guests.
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Morning Pilanesberg Safari

For guests who like early starts, this morning Pilanesberg safari focuses on the prime wildlife viewing hours just after sunrise. You are collected in Johannesburg or Pretoria and driven to the park for a morning open vehicle game drive.

  • Early departure from Johannesburg / Pretoria
  • Morning open vehicle game drive in Pilanesberg
  • Chance to see predators when they are most active
Typical rate: usually a little lower than the full day Pilanesberg day tour – please ask for current seasonal rates.
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Afternoon / Sunset Pilanesberg Safari

The afternoon and sunset Pilanesberg safari is perfect if you enjoy golden light for photography and a relaxed pace. This can be combined with lunch stops and a scenic drive around the volcanic crater landscape of Pilanesberg National Park.

  • Afternoon / sunset open vehicle game drive
  • Great light for photos of the Big Five and landscapes
  • Return transfers back to Johannesburg or Pretoria
Typical rate: similar to the morning Pilanesberg day tour; exact price depends on season and demand.
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Private Pilanesberg Safari – Closed Vehicle

For couples, families or small groups who prefer something more personal, I offer a private Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg in a comfortable closed vehicle. We travel at your pace, stop for photos where you like, and structure the day around your interests.

  • Private closed vehicle transfers & game viewing
  • Flexible pickup times in Johannesburg or Pretoria
  • Ideal for photographers, families and small groups
Typical rate: private Pilanesberg safari rate on request – guideline in table below.
Enquire about private Pilanesberg safari WhatsApp private quote

Pilanesberg safari pricing – guideline for day tours

These guideline rates keep your Pilanesberg day tour and Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg competitive with major operators while still reflecting a smaller, owner-guided experience. You can adjust the amounts easily in this table.

Pilanesberg safari package 2–3 people 4–7 people
Full day Pilanesberg safari
Shared open vehicle + transfers 		From R 2 850 pp From R 2 650 pp
Morning Pilanesberg day tour
Shorter open vehicle Pilanesberg safari 		From R 2 450 pp From R 2 250 pp
Afternoon / sunset Pilanesberg safari
Open vehicle, golden hour focus 		From R 2 450 pp From R 2 250 pp
Private Pilanesberg safari – closed vehicle
Exclusive Pilanesberg safari with Pieter 		From R 8 500 total From R 9 500 total

No booking fees • Secure Yoco card payment • Small-group, owner-guided Pilanesberg safaris

*All prices are guideline rates and can change based on fuel prices, park fees and season. Your final Pilanesberg safari price will be confirmed in a written quote before you book. Rates are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) and are valid for both international and South African guests.

Once you are happy with the itinerary and price, I will send you a secure Yoco card payment link. You pay online with your credit or debit card; I never ask you to send card details by email or WhatsApp. International guests can pay in ZAR and your bank handles the currency conversion.

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Photo gallery – Pilanesberg safaris from Johannesburg

A few photos from recent Pilanesberg day tours and Pilanesberg safaris from Johannesburg. Every Pilanesberg safari is different, but these images give a good idea of the landscapes and wildlife you may see in the park.

Elephants at a waterhole on a Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg
Elephants at a waterhole during a Pilanesberg safari.
Lion sighting on a Pilanesberg day tour
Lion sighting in the volcanic crater landscape of Pilanesberg.
Open safari vehicle used on a Pilanesberg National Park safari
Open safari vehicle used on Pilanesberg National Park safaris.
Scenic landscape inside Pilanesberg National Park
Scenic volcanic hills and plains in Pilanesberg National Park.
Rhino sighting on a Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg
Rhino sighting on a small-group Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg.
Sunrise on a morning Pilanesberg safari
Sunrise during a morning Pilanesberg safari.

All images are for illustration. Actual sightings on your Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg depend on the weather, season and wildlife movement on the day.

Pilanesberg safari cancellation policy – simple & fair

I keep cancellations flexible because many guests travel long distances and plans can change. Please see the guidelines below for all Pilanesberg day tours and private Pilanesberg safaris from Johannesburg:

  • Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour starts.
  • For cancellations within 48–24 hours, a small park/vehicle fee may apply.
  • For cancellations under 24 hours or “no-shows”, Pilanesberg charges non-refundable park and vehicle fees.
  • Bookings moved to another date don’t pay extra if availability allows.
  • Your secure Yoco payment link is refunded quickly if cancellation falls within the free period.

I always try to help guests who experience flight delays or unexpected travel changes — just message me as soon as possible on WhatsApp.

Why choose Big Six Tour Safaris for your Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg?

There are many options online for a Pilanesberg day tour, but travelling with a small owner-run company feels very different from joining a big bus. Here is what makes my Pilanesberg safaris from Johannesburg a bit more personal:

Owner-guided transfers

Wherever possible, I personally handle your transfers from Johannesburg or Pretoria, so you are not just “passengers” – you travel with a registered tourist guide who knows the roads, the park and the history of the Pilanesberg safari experience.

Small groups, no big buses

I focus on small groups for each Pilanesberg day tour, which means fewer people, more photo stops and more time to ask questions. Ideal for couples, families and friends who prefer a relaxed pace on their Pilanesberg safari.

Honest advice & clear pricing

Before you pay anything, I send a clear breakdown of what your Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg includes, plus a secure Yoco payment link. No hidden extras, no surprise add-ons on the day.

Flexible routes and timings

Flights, meetings and conferences often change. I do my best to adapt your pickup and drop-off times, especially for airport and Sandton hotels, within what is legal and safe for a Pilanesberg day tour.

Direct contact with your guide

You speak directly to me on WhatsApp or email about your Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg. No call centres, no generic templates – just one point of contact from enquiry until drop-off.

Pickup areas in Johannesburg & Pretoria

For most Pilanesberg day tours I collect guests from:

  • Sandton and Rosebank hotels
  • Central Johannesburg hotels (on request)
  • OR Tambo International Airport area hotels (day tours only, depending on flight times)
  • Selected Pretoria / Centurion hotels

If you are staying with family or in an Airbnb, please send me the address and I will confirm if it is on the normal route for a Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg or if a small extra transfer fee applies.

Pilanesberg gates & route

Most Pilanesberg safaris from Johannesburg travel via the N4 / N1 towards Rustenburg and enter the park through one of the main gates, depending on your open-vehicle operator and availability:

  • Bakubung Gate – close to Sun City, popular for day visitors.
  • Pilane Gate – convenient when using certain open vehicle operators.
  • Kwa Maritane Gate – used when combining with specific lodges.

I will confirm the exact meeting point and gate in your final confirmation email, together with pickup time and vehicle details for your Pilanesberg day tour.

Pilanesberg day tour – frequently asked questions

How long is a Pilanesberg day tour from Johannesburg?

A typical Pilanesberg day tour is a full day out. Pickup in Johannesburg or Pretoria is normally between 05:00 and 06:30, depending on your hotel, and you return late afternoon or early evening. Driving time is around 2.5–3 hours each way, with a 3–6 hour open vehicle game drive in the park as part of your Pilanesberg safari.

Is Pilanesberg a malaria-free Big Five park?

Yes, Pilanesberg National Park is considered a malaria-free reserve and home to the Big Five. For most guests a Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg is a great alternative if you prefer not to travel into higher-risk malaria areas.

Can children join the Pilanesberg safari?

Children are welcome on most Pilanesberg day tours, but age limits for open vehicle game drives are set by the lodge or operator (usually from around 6 years old). Younger children may need to remain in the closed vehicle with me for certain parts of the drive. Please tell me the ages of your children when you enquire about a Pilanesberg safari.

What should I wear and bring for a Pilanesberg day tour?

Dress in comfortable layers – mornings can be cold on the open vehicle, even in summer. Bring a warm jacket, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and your camera. For winter Pilanesberg day tours, gloves and a beanie are a good idea for the early morning Pilanesberg safari.

Are meals included in the price?

Most Pilanesberg safaris from Johannesburg do not include meals as standard, but there is time to buy breakfast and lunch at rest camps inside the park. If your quote includes meals, this will be clearly shown on your confirmation.

How do I pay for my Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg?

Once we have agreed on your date and final price, I will send a secure Yoco payment link. You can pay by credit or debit card in South African Rand (ZAR) from anywhere in the world. I do not ask for card details over email or WhatsApp.

Do you offer overnight safaris in Pilanesberg?

Yes – if you prefer more time in the park, I can arrange 1–2 night packages at selected lodges in and around Pilanesberg. Please mention “overnight Pilanesberg” in your enquiry and I will send options in addition to a standard Pilanesberg day tour.

Send a Pilanesberg safari enquiry

Send me a quick message with your preferred date, number of guests and whether you’d like a full day Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg, a morning or sunset tour, or a private closed-vehicle Pilanesberg day tour. Please also tell me if you are South African residents or visiting from overseas – this can affect park fees and specials.

Once everything is confirmed, I will email or WhatsApp you a secure Yoco payment link to pay by card. No cash deposits into personal accounts and no card details sent over WhatsApp – everything is done through the Yoco secure payment system.

If you prefer, you can also go straight to the booking page: Pilanesberg booking form .

By submitting this form you are making a non-binding enquiry. I will confirm availability and your final Pilanesberg day tour price in writing before you decide to book.

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